Thursday, March 07, 2013

Artist’s photographs evoke oppositions to modern day

Clay Jordan’s photographs in the "Master of Fine Arts Degree Candidates Exhibition" are about nostalgia, growing older and “cheap pleasures” that are both
enticing and unfulfilling.

Jordan’s
photographs feature saturated colors and reflect these sentimental ideas. For
example, Jordan said his work focuses on accessibility, especially the modern
conveniences of technology and the Internet, allowing people to have whatever they
want, when they want it.

“I
want to make things that I find beautiful and beguiling but that are also sad
and ephemeral,” said Jordan. He said he works prolifically, shooting until he
recognizes a theme. He then edits his photographs into a cohesive body of work.

Jordan
received a BFA in psychology from Vanderbilt University in 1998 and is an MFA
candidate for photography. He became interested in art after collecting
photography books, with the help of his girlfriend’s worker discount, from
Powell’s Books, a large and independently owned bookstore in Portland, Ore.
Jordan is also a founding member of the band pacificUV.

The “Master of Fine Arts Degree Candidates
Exhibition” is on view at the Georgia Museum of Art March 16 to April 22, 2013,
with an opening reception in conjunction with 90 Carlton: Spring on March 22.
MFA Speaks is scheduled for March 21 at 5:30 p.m. and will feature the artists
discussing their work.